Flushing-tank.



No. 830,280. PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

W. A. ALEXANDER. FLUSHING TANK APPLIOATION FILED HAB- 29, 1 90 5.

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WILLIAM A. ALEXANDER, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA;

FLUSHING-TANK.

a' ication filed March 29, 1905.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WV'ILLIAM A. ALEXAN- DER, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at IVilkinsburg, in the county of Alleghenyand. State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Flushing-Tanks, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to flushingvalve-operating mechanism, andmore particularly to the mechanism contained within a fir1sl1ingtankand. actuated. from the exterior thereof.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus forcontrolling the fluid or water passing through a flushingtank. In thisconnection the invention aims to dispense with the waste of waterheretofore incurred. by an apparatus not properly measuring theprescribed quantity of water requiredv to flush a closet.

My invention further aims to insure a positive closure of theflushing-valve when the contents of the flushing-tank has been ejected,and I have provided novel means for automatically controlling the amountof fiuid to be contained within the flushingtank.

Another object of this invention is the provision of novel means forthoroughly drain ing a flushing-tank, at the same time maintaining acertain quantity of water within the tank for reasons which will behereinaf ter specified.

Heretoforc in some types of flushing-tanks it has been impossible attimes to positively and accurately control the supply of water beingadmitted to a flushing-tank, and to the best of my knowledge it has beenimpossible to drain or remove the entire contents of a flushing-tankwithout causing a noise by the escape of the water. With these facts inview I have devised a novel form of apparatus for flushing-tanks, whichwill be hereinafter more fully described and then. specifically pointedout in the claims, and, referring to the drawings accompanying thisapplication, like numerals of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout both views, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view ofa flushing-tank constructed in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 2is a horizontal sec tional view of a flushing-tank, taken on the line aa; of Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented Sept. 4, 1906;

Serial No. 252.720.

T 0 put my invention into practice, I employ a flushing-tank and aportion of its appurtenant parts that are at present used, these partsbeing of a conventional form suitable for accomplishing the ultimatepurposes of my improved apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, the refer ence-numeral 1 designates aflushing-tank the bottom of which is provided with an inlet-pipe 2,carrying a valve 3, which supports an outlet-pipe 4. The valve 3, whichI have illustrated, is described and claimed in. a prior applicationfiled by me and need not, therefore, be described in detail otherwisethan the general principle and operation of the valve.

The tank 1 carries in its bottom a flushingvalve bushing 5, to which isattached a pipe 6, that leads to the bowl or hopper. (Not shown.) Thebushing 5 is provided with an overflow-pipe 7, extending upwardly withinthe flushing-tank, and the outlet of the pipe 6 is controlled by a valve8, connected. to a rod 9, this rod being pivoted, as indicated at 10, tothe long arm 11 of a lever 12, which is pivotally mounted upon a rod 14,supported between the front and rear walls 15 and 16 of thefiushingtank. The end wall 17 of the flushing-tank is grooved or cutaway, as indicated at 18, and this groove near its bottom communicateswith the exterior of the flushing-tank by an opening 1.9. The groove fora portion o'l its depth is partitioned from the interior of theflushing-tank by a plate 20, secured to the end wall 17 of theflushingtank. Adjacent to the opening 19 I secure a casing 21., in whichis mounted a reciprocating rod or plunger 22, carrying an arm 23, whichextends through a slot 24, formed in the casing 21, and into the groove18 of the end wall. The arm 23 is connected to an upwardly-extending rod25, the upper end of said rod being connected to the shorter arm 26 ofthe lever 12. This shorter arm is also provided with a pivoted. lever27, the lower end of which lies in close proximity to the valve 3 andthe lever 27 is provided with a groove 28, in which engages the end 29of a rod 30, pivotally mounted, as indicated at 31, in the top of thevalve 3. The valve 3 carries a pivotally-mounted lever 32 which isconnected. by a link 33 to the rod 30, and the lever 32 is adapted to.control, as described in my prior application for patent, the operationof the valve 3, and consequently the inlet of water to theflushing-tank.

The opposite end of the flushing-tank is provided with an auxiliary tankor receptacle 34 of a smaller capacity than the -flushingtank. The lowerend of the receptacle 34 is contracted, as indicated at 35, and isprovided with an outletpipe 36. This pipe is provided with a flapvalve37, the movement of which is controlled by a lever 38, pivotally mountedin a bracket 39, carried by the pipe 36, and the outer end of the lever38 is provided with a spherical hollow body 40, serving functionally asa float. In the receptacle 34 is mounted another spherical hollow body41, which is connected by a link 42 to the outer end 43 of the lever 30,and this spherical body serves in a capacity similar to the float 40.The side of the auxiliary tank or receptacle 34 is cut away, asindicated at 44, to permit the contents of the flushing-tank to flowinto the auxiliary tank or receptacle at predetermined times, as will bepresently described in connection with the general operation of themechanism.

My invention resides particularly in the auxiliary tank or reservoir 34and its appurtenant parts and in the mechanism I employ in connectionwith the valves and levers described.

- A flushing-tank constructed in accordance with my invention 0 eratesas follows: We will assume that the ushing-tank illustrated in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings is partially filled with Water and that the flushingoperating mechanism is in the position shown. Upon the pin or plunger 22being depressed the short arm 26 of the lever 12 is pulleddownwardly'through the medium of the rod 25 and the arm 23, the longerarm 11 of the lever 12 being elevated, and through the medium of the rod9 the flushing-valve 8 is raised off its seat, permitting the contentsof the flushing-tank to pass into the pipe 6. Simultaneously with thisoperation the lever 27 has been lowered until the. top of the groove 28engages the end 29 of the lever 30. The contents of the flushing-tank bythe lifting of valve 8 are allowed to flow downwardly through the pipe6, and when the height of the fluid within the tank has descended to thelower side of the float 40 this float will be gradually lowered untilthe lever 38 becomes disengaged from the flap-valve 37, at which timethe weight of the fluid within the auxiliary tank or receptacle 34 willcause the flap-valve to open, permitting the contents of the receptacle34 to pass into the flushing-tank 1. This operation, however, isgradual, owing to the descent of the float 40, and nearly all the fluidwithin the flushing-tank l-is ejected through the pipe 6 before theentire contents of the receptacle 34 has passed into theflushing-tank.Immediately upon the fall of the fluid contained Within the auxiliarytank or reservoir 34 this float 41 will be lowered gradually, andthrough to seatwithin the flushing-valve bushing 5 and close the outletof the flushing-tank to the bowl or hopper. The water or fluid passingthrough the valve 3 into the flushing-tank continues to flow, raisingthe float 40 and closing the flap-valve 37. When the water or fluidentering the flushing-tank reaches the opening 44 formed in the side ofthe receptacle 34, it overflowsinto said receptacle and gradually fillsthe same'until the float 41 is reached, at which time the float will beele-' vated, and through the medium of the link 42, lever 30, link 33,and lever 32 the valve 3 will be closed, cutting off the supply of wateror fluid to the flushing-tank and placing it in condition to be againactuated when it is desired to flush a bowl or hopper by the depressionof the rod or plunger 22.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,it will be observed that the valve 3, which controls the inlet of waterto the flushingtank, is automatically controlled by the passage of thewater within the flushing-tank to the hopper or bowl. The arrangement ofthe floats p'revents an excess amount of water entering theflushing-tank, at the same time permitting the entire contents of themain flushingtank to pass out of the tank before the flushing-valvecontrolling the outlet is closed. It is obvious that the various leversand floats of my improved mechanism can be readily adjusted to permitany desired quantity of water to enter the flushing-tank and be ejectedby the opening of the flushing-tank valve. Another feature to which Idesire to call particular attention in connection with my improvedflushing-valve resides in dispensing with the noise heretoforeexperienced in connection with flushing-tanks, occasioned by the entiredrainage of a flushing-tank, the suction of the water passing throughthe pipes causing a hollow noise, which in many instances is a. drawbackto the advantageous features .of a good flushing-tank. By providing theauxiliary tank or receptacle I have devised a supplementary flush ofwater adapted to follow the main flush of water and continue until theflushing-valve has been closed. The arrangement of the floats and leversof my improved mechanism permits no space of time to. exist between theflush of water and the closing of the valve that may occasion a noise,the main flush and the auxiliary flush of water being practically onecontinuous flow.

While I have herein described the preterred manner of arranging myimproved mechanism within the flushing-tank, it is obvious that thedisposition of the various parts can be readily changed and themechanism made of a snllicient size to operate in connection withvarious other apparatus than a II ushing-tank.

It is manifest that other slight changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit and scope of theinvention.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Lettors Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combimition with a tankhaving an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling said inlet and avalve controlling said outlet, a lever pivotally mounted within saidtank and adapted to control said outlet-valve, of an auxiliary tankmounted within the firstnamed tank, said. auxiliary tank having anoutlet located near the bottom of the firstnamed tank, a flap-valvecontrolling said outlet, a float controlling the movement of said[lap-valve, and means mounted within said auxiliary tank to control saidinlet-valve and close said out et-valve.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a tankhaving an inlet and an outlet both located below the normal low-waterline of the tank, a valve controlling said inlet and a valve controllingsaid outlet, a lever pivotally mounted within. said tank and adapted tocontrol said outlet-valve, a rod arranged exteriorly of the tank andcon- .nected to said lever of an auxiliary tank mounted within thefirst-named tank, said auxiliary tank having an outlet located adjacentthe bottom of the Iirstnamed tank, means to control said outlet, andmeans mounted within said auxiliary tank to close said inlet and saidoutlet valves, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling saidinlet and a valve controlling said outlet, of an auxiliary tank mountedwithin the firstnamed tank, said tank having an outlet, a flapvalvecarried by said last-named outlet, means to control said flap-valve,means carried by the ilirst-named tank to open said first-namedoutletvalvc, and means mounted within said auxiliary tank and adapted toautomatically close said inlet-valve and said first-named outletevalve,substantially as described.

I. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank having an inlet and an outlet, of a valve controlling saidinlet and valve controlling said outlet, a lever mounted within saidtank and actuated from the exterior of said tank to open saidoutlet-valve, an auxiliary tank mounted within the first-named tank, andmeans supported within. said auxiliary tank and adapt ed to successivelyclose said valves at prede-- termined times, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling saidinlet and a valve controllingsaid outlet, and means for opening saidoutletvalve from the exterior of the tank, of an auxiliary tank, andmeans mounted within said auxiliary tank for closing said inlet and saidoutlet, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling saidinlet and a valve controlling said outlet, and means for establishing aprimary flush, of an auxiliary tank mounted within thefirstnamed tank,meanscarried by said auxiliary tank and actuated by the primary flush tocause a secondary Hush, and means mounted within said auxiliary tank andactuated by the secondary flush to close said inlet-valve and saidoutlet'valve, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling saidinlet and a valve controlling said outlet, means actuated from theexterior of the Hushing-tank to establish a primary flush, of

means for maintaining a secondary flush within said flushing-tankindependent of the primary flush, means actuated. by the primary flushto bring into action the secondary flush, an auxiliary tank and a floatarranged in said auxiliary tank and connected to the inlet and theoutlet valves and actuated by the secondary flush to close said inletand said outlet valves, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank adapted to contain a body o'l" water, said tank having aninlet and an. outlet port, a valve controlling each port, of means formaintaining a body of water independent of the first-named body, meansactuated by the first-named body when passing through said. outlet torelease the independent body of water prior to the complete passage ofthe first body of water, and means actuated by the passage of theindependent body of water to close the valves controlling said inlet andsaid outlet ports, substantially as described.

- 9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with aflushing-tank adapted to contain a body of water, said tank having aninlet and an outlet port, a valve controlling each port, of means formaintaining an independent body of water within said. flushing-tank,means actuated by the first named body when passing through said out--let to release the independent body of water and permit it to How intothe flushing-tank prior to the complete passage of the first body ofwater, means to reestablish said independent body of Water, and meansactuated by the restablishment of the independent body of water to closesaid inlet and outlet valves, substantially as described. a

10. The combination of a flushing-tan having inlet and outlet ports andvalves controlling both ports, with an auxiliary tank having a portleading into the main tank, a valve governing the passage of waterthrough the last-named port, a float connected to the last-named valveand a float arranged in said auxiliary tank and means connected to saidlast-named float for governing the valves on the inlet and outlet portsof the flushing-tank. 11. In an apparatus of the class described, thecombinatlon with a flushing-tank having an inlet-port and anoutlet-port, a valve controlling said inlet-port, and a, valve control-'ling said outletort, of a pivoted lever connected to the va ve on theoutlet-port, means I connected to said lever and extending exte riorlyof the tank for operating said lever, a

second lever suspended from said pivoted le- 'ver and having a groove, apivotally-mounted rod having 1ts free end extending into said groove,said rod being connected to the valve on said inlet-port, and a floatcarried by said 7 inlet and outlet ports and valves controlling saidports, of a pivoted lever connected to the valve controlling theoutlet-port, a pivoted rod connected to the valve controlling theinlet-port, a float carried by said rod, a swinging lever connected tothe said pivoted lever and adapted to be engaged by said rod, and meansextending outside of the said tank for IIHiViIlg said pivoted lever toopen the outletva ve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM A. ALEXANDER. Witnesses:

K. H. BUTLER, E. E. POTTER.

